IT HAS BEGUN

Since the foregoing pages were electrotyped two incidents of the utmost importance and of the greatest significance are reported. That relative to disarmament at the suggestion of the Tzar of All the Russias is startling and most gratifying, but it is of no greater significance to the progress of civilization than the revival of interest in first principles in elementary education in the United States. There is activity in many directions and several cities have quietly made important additions to their facilities for the training of little children, even while popular interest has been absorbed in the excitement of war.

The example of the city of Chicago, the city of rapid change and of great results, in securing the services of a very distinguished educator from the head of a university to take charge of her public schools and the expressed attitude of this master of "higher education" toward elementary education "from the kindergarten up," may be given as a typical illustration.

Dr. E. Benjamin Andrews, in assuming charge of the Chicago public schools as superintendent gave free expression of his opinion relative to the problem he was called to solve. One report is as follows:

"Doctor, will you please give, for publication, your ideas concerning the schools as you now understand the question?"

"Certainly, and with pleasure. In the first place, and of first importance, I understand that rapid growth and a somewhat unsettled population has found the city unprepared for the care of all the small children. There are twenty thousand children of primary school age for whom there are no seats in school. I believe in applying first and unremitting effort to starting children right in their life career, and this must be done by especial care for elementary education from the kindergarten up."

"Do you consider French, German, drawing, manual-training, domestic science and other uncommon branches to be 'fads' of some educators and not suitable or necessary departments of public education?"

"I do not. All branches of learning are useful, and should be available to any who seek them, but none of the other branches should be supported at the sacrifice of the elementary branches."

During the preparation of this appeal for a Perfect Social Quarantine which shall allow no child to escape intelligent care, the early galley proofs of the work were sent to a large number of persons, representing many different points-of-view, who are engaged in educational, correctional, political and business affairs in this country and in England for criticism and suggestions. The responses have been generous and much of the argument, as it stands, is based upon this testimony. While the book is in press, however, further responses are flooding in, which show the interest of all persons in the thorough aim appealed for. Those who have diverse ideas relative to grown-up questions of competitive interest are of one mind relative to giving babies a chance to develop the best there is in them. It is recognized that, under present conditions of neglect, there are children born who "have no show on earth" to be good and useful citizens. It is also recognized that while one such example of neglect remains or is possible a nation has no good title or claim to the distinction of being called a civilized country. She can only be classed as "partly civilized," while there is one known case of neglect.

Of especial importance are the suggestions and data collected and sent to the author from London by Julian Ralph, Esq., and promise of "a substitution of a heavy backing of easily obtainable facts for the appeals, which would render them unnecessary," from Prof. Graham Taylor, of the University of Chicago, and of the Chicago Commons Social Settlement.

These must form a separate book, for they are too extended for the present volume, although their evidence adds valuable support.

The history of child-training and child-saving in the United States is that of a discovery and wonderful development of latent forces, whose cultivation or neglect produces more happiness or more unhappiness, as the case may be, than any other source of power.

Child-saving, in this country on an extensive scale, was inaugurated by Mr. Charles L. Brace, of New York, followed soon after by the Catholic Protectory under the care of the Paulist Brotherhood, and child-training was introduced from Germany into the United States by Elizabeth Peabody, of Boston.

About the same time Dr. Thomas J. Barnardo, of London, established the "Dr. Barnardo Homes," whose chronicles during thirty-two years show only 1.84 per cent. of failure to make good children of the worst product of city slums.[9]

The world owes these altruists, and all who have followed in the development of their work, a debt of happy gratitude.

The title of "Angels of the State," given to kindergartners, is borrowed from a charming little book by the Rev. Frank Sewall, of Washington, D.C.

[9]

Within the past twenty-six years nine thousand five hundred and fifty-six trained boys and girls, the flower of my flock, have been placed out in situations in the Colonies, and have been continuously looked after and supervised ever since by a company of devoted and experienced men and women. Results recently tabulated in reports to and from the Government of Canada show that the failures among these emigrants is less than two per cent. (actually 1.84 per cent.) of the whole."—Thomas J. Barnardo, F.R.C.S., Ed., founder of the "Dr. Barnardo's Homes," London, England.